VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (letter).

Make bags valuable

Chicago — There is a ready solution to the plastic bag problem, plus you could still work to find a high-tech remedy or persuade everyone to use his or her own permanent bags or baskets.

Bags could have giant coupons printed on them. These could be redeemed for gift certificates or cash at all participating stores (or Streets and Sanitation offices). Environmental groups, stores and government would pay for this.

By giving bags value, many of those alley entrepreneurs who collect aluminum cans would also pick up every stray bag with giant coupons on them.

So not only are you helping the environment, you are helping people to be self-sufficient.